A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

549 Why Every Hygienist Should Read "Red Rising"

A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Show Notes

What can a bestselling science fiction novel teach dental hygienists about leadership, advocacy, and challenging the status quo? In this special episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome back Ashley Kear (featured in Episode 521, From Dental Chair to Design Dreams: Ashley Kear on Building an Etsy Shop) for an out-of-the-box conversation about why Red Rising by Pierce Brown has become such a meaningful story for leadership and professional growth.

Together, they explore the themes from the series that resonate with dental hygienists, the different leadership styles found throughout the books, and the parallels between Darrow's journey and the evolution of the dental hygiene profession. From questioning old systems to inspiring change, this conversation is all about thinking bigger, leading with purpose, and embracing what's possible.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Why Red Rising resonates with dental hygienists

Leadership lessons from the series

How challenging the status quo relates to advancing dental hygiene

How stories can inspire stronger leaders, educators, and advocates

Ashley's perspective on what hygienists can learn from the series

If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a fellow hygienist, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Resources: Read Red Rising by Pierce Brown: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/221552/red-rising-by-pierce-brown/

Contact Ashley: [email protected]

Contact the Hosts Jessica Atkinson: [email protected] Dave Torres: [email protected]

More from A Tale of Two Hygienists Podcast

Oct 21, 2026

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave explore what happens after assessment and diagnosis: turning clinical findings into meaningful, individualized care. Karen Palleschi and Jennifer Pieren discuss how dental hygienists can use critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the ADHA Standards of Care to create person-centered plans that reflect each patient's needs, values, risks, and goals.

Oct 14, 2026

Assessment and diagnosis are at the heart of patient-centered dental hygiene care. In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave are joined by JoAnn Gurenlian, Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, and Darlene Swigart to explore how dental hygienists can move beyond simply collecting patient data to interpreting findings, developing accurate dental hygiene diagnoses, and making informed clinical decisions.

Oct 7, 2026

JoAnn Gurenlian joins Jessica and Dave for a practical conversation about the purpose, evolution, and everyday importance of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.

Sep 30, 2026

Every patient who sits in our chair brings more than just a mouth with them. Hormones, bone health, medications, and life stage can all influence what we see clinically.

Sep 26, 2026

Jessica and Dave welcome Dr. Pamela Ray to discuss how hygienists can improve periodontal communication, help patients take ownership of their disease, and guide them toward informed decisions about their health. This episode was brought to you by our friends at Net32.

See all episodes →